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Was there lesser pollution? Well, the answer to this question is genuinely not easy
because:
1. Vehicular pollution is, perhaps, not the main contributor in Delhi.
2. The number of vehicles is far too high, and add to that those that enter Delhi from the
adjoining cities of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, even with just an odd or even
number, there are still far more than a city should have running on the roads at any time.
3. Most of the pollution meter still showed PM (particulate matter) levels way above
permissible limits
4. Having said that, however, the very fact that thousands of vehicles were not stranded in
long jams as they idled their engines, spewing toxic/noxious emissions in the air, means it is
that much less pollution.
5. So, irrespective of what the pollution meters say, or even those who have decided that
the move was a failure, the scheme would have had a positive impact. It may not be
significant, but to say that it has had zilch impact is being mulish.
5. Promote electric cars, taxis. Reduce duties on such cars. Make it easier for citizens to
buy them. Give preference to such cars on roads. Incentivise their use by making parking
free, charging points all over, etc.
What else to do to reduce pollution?
There is a lot that has been written about and is documented, but if I were to be asked
what comes to my mind straight away, I would think of the following:
1. Promote Non-Motorised-Transport for short commutes. This is something that is so
simple and easy. Far too many people use cars to commute short distances. They could
easily switch to using public transport, or even bicycles. Sure, many find it unsafe, but that
is something that the local administration has to work at
a. Why cant there be dedicated bike lanes?
b. Of course, in this country, even where there are such lanes, they are taken up by cars
and if there are shops on the roads, for parking for their customers.
2. So, build cycle tracks and ensure they are reserved for them alone. Once that is done,
we could promote them using innovative schemes and concepts like what a few in
Gurgaon and Noida do #Pedal2WorkChallenge. It is like the#IceBucketChallenge of
last year, where, anyone who undertook and completed it challenged five others. This,
with cycling has resulted in at least 100 in Gurgaons IT hub take up the challenge in the
past two months.
3. Set up bike stations which lets you pick up bikes from point A and drop it at Point B or C
or D, for a small fee. For this scheme to succeed, though, the government would need to
provide subsidies. Mind you, these subsidies would be far less than what you actually dole
out for automobiles in one form or the other.
4. Ensure roads are well-maintained. So many places witness jams because a sudden poor
stretch slows everyone. During peak hours, it can result in jams that can be a Km long
5. Ensure builders and contractors do not allow construction dust to fly around. They can
keep the surroundings wet, or under cover. It is common knowledge that a significant
portion of PM is due to construction related dust.
6. Ensure people drive sanely, follow rules. Have always wondered why we just cant
introspect and do it right ourselves. Poor driving etiquette results in so many avoidable
situations. Of course, the authorities who dole out driving licenses to even a Cow or a Cat,
need to be taken to task as well. Someone has to instill fear in them. Right now they think
they are untouchable, as even those who have to prosecute them are involved.
7. Bolster public transport.
8. Do all that is mentioned above under Should this move be made permanent?
In the final analyses, Delhi government deserves credit for thinking of the scheme. If
nothing else, it made all others sit up and take notice. The very fact that several other
state/city administrations, across political spectrum, are willing to experiment with the
scheme shows that all realise the importance of steps to control pollution. However, all of
it would succeed only if we ourselves recognize the gravity of the situation and change
ourselves. Governments can only do as much, we ourselves have to understand that for
our own good, and for the good of our kids and future generations, we have to change.
Endure some hardships, if needed, but unless we do so, we would make this planet, the
only one we have, unlivable for ourselves.
DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.